Alternative News

Articles from non-mainstream as opposed to corporate for profit sources.

Launching Socialist Register 21: Beyond Digital Capitalism

Details: Published on Thursday, 04 February 2021 05:14; Written by editor

Join us on Wednesday February 10th (7pm EST) for the launch of Socialist Register 21: Beyond Digital Capitalism (Merlin Press, 2020), with presentations by Greg Albo, Sam Gindin, Bryan Palmer, Joan Sangster, Stephen Maher, Pat Armstrong, Hugh Armstrong, Tanner Mirrlees, and Derek Hrynyshyn.

In memory of Leo Panitch, 1945-2020.

As digital technology became integral to the capitalist market dystopia of the first decades of the 21st century, it not only refashioned our ways of communicating but of working and consuming, indeed ways of living. The Covid-19 pandemic revealed not only the lack of investment, planning and preparation that underlay the scandalous slowness of the responses by states around the world, but also grotesque class and racial inequalities as it coursed its way through the population and the owners of high-tech corporations were enriched by tens of billions of dollars. Rejecting both technological determinism and facile ‘cyber-utopian’ thinking, the 57th annual volume of the Socialist Register addresses how to imagine, struggle for, and plan for, new democratic socialist ways of living after the pandemic.

The event will be on ZOOM: please get your free Eventbrite ticket by clicking r0

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Join fossil fuel industry workers in calling for a better future!

Details: Published on Thursday, 22 April 2021 20:00; Written by editor

Iron & Earth r1

Paov --

The time is now. As fossil fuel industry workers continue to struggle with the impacts of the economic downturn and pandemic, it’s more important than ever to bring our voices to Canada’s decision-makers as they determine the future for energy workers.

The only way we can ensure energy workers’ insights are taken seriously is to rally together and make some noise. That’s why we are launching a survey to capture fossil fuel industry workers’ priorities, bring them to Ottawa, and push for action to ensure we don’t miss out on the jobs, technology, and future we all deserve.

But in order to move Ottawa forward, we need your help connecting with the energy workers in your life.

Please share with the fossil fuel industry workers you know! The survey is an important opportunity for their voices to be heard, and only takes approximately 10 minutes of their time.

Unions, Just Transition and the Struggle for Radical Social Transformation

Details: Published on Thursday, 04 February 2021 01:02; Written by editor

Unions, Just Transition and the Struggle for Radical Social Transformation

John Treat

For more than a decade, trade union responses to the unfolding climate and ecological crisis have mainly focused on the idea of “just transition.” This idea has brought much-needed attention to the serious disruptions facing many workers, and to the need to minimize those disruptions where possible, or provide alternatives where necessary. Unions have generally affirmed the findings of climate science and recognized the urgent need for dramatic transformation of our societies, but this affirmation has mostly found expression in echoing broader social calls for “more ambition” from governments.

At the international level, and especially in Europe, union...

Trudeau: End Hassan Diabs Ordeal Now!

Details: Published on Wednesday, 03 February 2021 04:32; Written by editor

Trudeau: End Hassan Diab’s Ordeal Now!

Michelle Weinroth

Forty and some years have elapsed, yet the French authorities have failed to find the real culprit for the 1980 bombing of the synagogue on rue Copernic, Paris. Not only have they failed to carry out their original mission, they have failed to admit, let alone face, their obvious defeat. Recent events prove ever more strikingly that, for 14 years, French authorities have been pursuing the wrong man – the wrongfully persecuted Dr. Hassan Diab.

Indeed, the last shred of evidence – handwriting analysis – on which they relied for so long (in concert with members of Canada’s justice system), was recently...

Outrage Is Not a Strong Enough Word

Details: Published on Tuesday, 02 February 2021 03:02; Written by editor

Outrage Is Not a Strong Enough Word

Vijay Prashad

Someday the world will be free of the coronavirus. Then, we will glance backward at these years of misery inflicted by virions with spike proteins that have struck down millions of people and held social life in its grip. Much will be debated about the origins of the virus and the rapidity of its spread around the world, a transmission that shows how closely interconnected we have become due to modern transportation technology. There is no going backward from the processes that will continue to shrink the globe, bringing us closer and closer together, bringing other viruses and diseases greater...

We're just a few signatures shy of meeting our goal

Details: Published on Monday, 01 February 2021 15:08; Written by editor

Paov,

I'll keep this short. I just wanted to give you a quick update on our new campaign for a Just Transition Act.

It's really taken off in the last few weeks and we're hoping to collect just a few more signatures before we ramp up pressure on PM Trudeau.

You can take the first step right now by signing our petition and demanding that Trudeau pass the Just Transition Act he promised during the 2019 election.

Thousands of people have already signed this petition, and, together, we're making an impact. Since we launched this campaign, MPs from the Green Party, NDP, and Bloc Quebecois started talking about the Just Transition Act in Parliament.

President Biden's quick and decisive action on climate should send a clear message to Prime Minister Trudeau. The fossil fuel era is over. It's time to invest in bold climate action that works for people and the planet.

Sign the petition now to demand a Just Transition Act.

Onwards,

Cam

350.org is building a global climate movement. You can connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and r38

Game over for the bees.

Details: Published on Monday, 01 February 2021 08:06; Written by editor

A, I want to make sure you didn’t miss this. A small but courageous group of beekeepers is heading to court -- to protect France’s crucial ban on bee-killing pesticides.

The French government just passed a law allowing industrial farmers to drench their crops in Bayer & Syngenta’s deadly neonics. Our bees won’t stand a chance -- so these beekeepers have asked for your help to cover mounting legal costs.

Can you rush a donation to help these beekeepers win their case and protect the bee-saving ban?

If you’ve saved your payment information with SumOfUs, your donation will go through immediately:

Donate CA$90 now Donate another amount

Thanks for all that you do,
Nabil and all the SumOfUs team

Beekeepers are heading to court to save France’s historic ban on bee-killing pesticides.

Legal costs are spiralling -- so they’ve asked for your help.

Can you chip in CA$89 to save the bees?

If you’ve saved your payment...

Winter 2021 edition of our newsletter Quaker Concern

Details: Published on Monday, 01 February 2021 06:46; Written by editor

Bringing It Home

by Nancy Russell

In the summer of 2020, the catastrophic death of George Floyd created a sudden swell of public attention regarding calls to defund the police, the over-representation of Black and Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, and systemic racism in Canada. CFSC discerned the need to respond, and began planning for a new project—The Only Way Forward...

After Trump, What Prospects for Biden in the Global Imperial Disorder?

Details: Published on Monday, 01 February 2021 00:56; Written by editor

After Trump, What Prospects for Biden in the Global Imperial Disorder?

Claudio Katz presciently analyzes shifts in the imperialist order, the mainstay of global capitalism, and weighs what the increasing social and political polarization within the United States portends for the Joe Biden administration in the effort to restore its sagging world dominance.

Katz is professor of economics at the University of Buenos Aires, as well as a researcher with CONICET (National Council for Science and Technology, Argentina) and a member of Economists of the Left. My translation from the text on his web page.

— Richard Fidler

The United States’ Failed Imperial Recovery

The United States seeks to regain its sagging world dominance by capturing wealth, quelling rebellions, and deterring competitors. It supports this operation with gigantic military power and...

E-News: Pfizer demands tax cuts / Offshore drilling licenses / Looking back on 2020 and more...

Details: Published on Sunday, 31 January 2021 05:04; Written by editor

E-News: Pfizer demands tax cuts / Offshore drilling licenses / Looking back on 2020 and more... r1 ...

Ban fracking in Colombia: UN Special Rapporteur

Details: Published on Sunday, 31 January 2021 04:50; Written by editor

Ban fracking in Colombia: UN Special Rapporteur r1

United Nations Special Rapporteur David Boyd calls on Colombia to pass law to prohibit fracking … Read more...

New report by UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor: Final warning: death threats and killings of human rights defenders … Read more...

...

Game over for the bees.

Details: Published on Sunday, 31 January 2021 04:44; Written by editor

Beekeepers are heading to court to save France’s historic ban on bee-killing pesticides.

Legal costs are spiralling -- so they’ve asked for your help.

Can you chip in CA$89 to save the bees?

If you’ve saved your payment information with SumOfUs, your donation will go through immediately:

Donate CA$90 now Donate another amount

France just made it legal for sugar beet farmers to douse their fields with Bayer’s and Syngenta’s bee-killing pesticides.

This law squashes one of your biggest ever victories: the historic total ban on neonics in France.

But you can still save the bees from Bayer’s and Syngenta’s pesticides -- if you act now.

A courageous group of beekeepers is heading to court to challenge this bee-killing new law. They don’t have long to build up their strong case -- the law goes into effect within weeks.

A, can you rush them a donation for their legal fees? Every bit extra we raise will help us fight Bayer’s and Syngenta’s...

The Socialist Legacy of Leo Panitch

Details: Published on Sunday, 31 January 2021 03:22; Written by editor

The Socialist Legacy of Leo Panitch

On December 19, 2020, socialist intellectual and friend of the show Leo Panitch passed away from COVID-19. Today, we honor his legacy by speaking with his longtime friend and colleague Sam Gindin, a Canadian scholar and activist who co-authored The Socialist Challenge Today and other volumes with Panitch.

Sam and host Esty Dinur reflect on the past forty-eight hours (Jan 6-7) in American politics – how we got here, what it means for the future – and how we can build on Leo Panitch’s work.

r0

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Our search for new leadership continues - and we need the power of community!

Details: Published on Thursday, 22 April 2021 20:00; Written by editor

Iron & Earth r1

Paov --

Here’s the situation. We are in the midst of a fundamental, worldwide shift towards a net-zero future and our organization is situated in the heart of this complex and dynamic moment in history. We have been ahead of the curve on this issue for several years and are poised to provide critical leadership during this energy and economic transition.

Funders and supporters recognize the key role that Iron & Earth can, and will, play over the coming years—because of this, and thanks to the hard work of many volunteers and a small core team, our organization’s budget has expanded over 300% in less than a year.

This is our moment to be bold. We need to grow our fearless and experienced leadership team to take our organization to the next level.

As we mentioned in our last update, we have extended the call for ED & CEO applications to...

South Africa: Vaccine Apartheid or Equality?

Details: Published on Saturday, 30 January 2021 03:06; Written by editor

South Africa: Vaccine Apartheid or Equality?

Rehad Desai

We are in the middle of a global shortage of supplies of COVID-19 vaccines. We are reliving the saga that happened early in the pandemic around access to personal protective equipment (PPE), where each country fought for its own patch. Getting the vaccine doses we require for South African healthcare workers is the most we can hope for in the coming weeks. Obtaining anything more within the next six months will be almost impossible for the majority of countries in the global South that did not, or were unable to, make pre-orders or payment commitments. South Africa might just possibly be...

Council This Week

Details: Published on Friday, 29 January 2021 12:02; Written by editor

Council This Week r1 ...

A, share your story !

Details: Published on Friday, 29 January 2021 11:46; Written by editor

Hi A,

Members like you are what inspire us to fight big corporations around the world everyday -- which is why we would love to know what inspires YOU to be part of the SumOfUs community.

Can you take 1-2 minutes to record a short video about what motivates you to be part of this movement and/or what are you most hopeful for in 2021? You'll find all the instructions to record the video at the link below.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Hi A,

As we kick off 2021, we want your voice to shape our work for this upcoming year. Can you take two minutes to complete a quick survey about SumOfUs? We would love to hear your thoughts on what issues we should prioritize.

Click here to take the quick survey to tell us what campaigns we should run in 2021

If you're feeling even more inspired, we...

Read more: A, share your story !

The North Face, Lululemon, Columbia

Details: Published on Friday, 29 January 2021 09:20; Written by editor

r1 Urge these companies to stop making clothes with coal‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌

r33

Hi friend,

There’s no denying it: Coal is one of the biggest sources of climate pollution. This fossil fuel causes 800,000 premature deaths globally per year, and millions more long and short term illnesses. Yet, the very clothes we put on our backs are still made with coal.

At Stand.earth we’re making sure clothing brands prioritize kicking coal out of our clothing. And where better to start than with outdoor companies, The North Face, Lululemon and Columbia – who are already claiming to be industry leaders in sustainability. (I mean, climate catastrophe is kind of a threat to outdoor activities, no?)

But we’re running out of time, so we’re asking them to take their climate action up a notch: Commit to go 100% coal free by 2030 (especially in your supply chains).

Brands need to hear from customers that making dirty clothes from deadly coal is a bad idea. Will you add your name to urge The North Face, Columbia, and Lululemon to commit to a coal free by 2030 pledge?

Read more: The North Face, Lululemon, Columbia

TOMORROW - What's Behind the Uprising of India's Farmers

Details: Published on Friday, 29 January 2021 08:18; Written by editor

TOMORROW - What's Behind the Uprising of India's Farmers r1 ...

Ontarios Long-Term Care Sector is in a Grave Humanitarian Crisis

Details: Published on Friday, 29 January 2021 03:10; Written by editor

Ontario’s Long-Term Care Sector is in a Grave Humanitarian Crisis

Doctors for Justice in LTC

We are a group of physicians, researchers, and advocates who have come together to express our grave concern for the safety and well-being of Ontarians who reside and work in long-term care (LTC) homes. We call upon the Ontario government to immediately end the violations of peoples’ human rights and control the spread of COVID-19 in LTC. Action is needed today.

To date, the Ontario government’s approach to protect LTC residents has been reactionary at best. The lack of transparency and coordinated provincial oversight has resulted in piecemeal interventions that are too late, or sometimes,...